What is the main cause of appendicitis?

Appendicitis happens when something blocks the appendix, like poop or an infection. This blockage causes the appendix to become swollen and inflamed, leading to pain and other symptoms.

What are the early symptoms of appendicitis?

In the beginning, you might feel pain around your belly button. As time passes, the pain usually moves to the lower right side of your abdomen. Other early signs include loss of appetite, feeling like you need to throw up, or having a slight fever.

How to treat appendicitis early?

The best way to treat appendicitis early is to have surgery to remove the appendix before it gets worse. This surgery is called an appendectomy and is usually done using minimally invasive techniques to make recovery faster and easier.

Can appendicitis pain go away?

No, appendicitis pain typically doesn't go away on its own. It usually gets worse over time as the inflammation increases. That's why it's important to see a doctor as soon as you start feeling the pain.

How bad does appendicitis hurt?

The pain from appendicitis can vary from person to person, but it's often described as really bad. It starts as a dull ache around the belly button and gradually becomes more intense. If you experience this kind of pain, it's essential to seek medical help promptly.

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28-04-21 Team Medicover Gastroenterology

Appendicitis Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

The inflammatory disease known as appendicitis affects the appendix, a little organ located in the lower right abdomen. It commonly presents with pain originating in the lower right abdomen.

Appendicitis often begins near the belly button before migrating to the lower right abdomen as inflammation advances. It usually becomes worse before getting really bad as the illness worsens.

Appendicitis Symptoms

Pain around the belly button
Lower right side abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Inability to pass gas
Abdominal swelling
Low-grade fever
A sense that you might feel better after passing stool

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What Causes Appendicitis?

Obstruction:

Blockage of the appendix, often by hardened stool, foreign objects, or swollen lymph nodes, is a primary cause of appendicitis.

Infections:

Viral or bacterial infections will lead to inflammation of the appendix, contributing to the development of appendicitis.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases:

Conditions like Crohn's disease, which can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, may increase the risk of appendicitis.

Tumors:

Tumors in the digestive tract, particularly near the appendix, can obstruct the organ and lead to inflammation, resulting in appendicitis.

Exact Cause Unclear:

In some cases, the exact cause of appendicitis may not be identified despite thorough evaluation.

Risk Factors of Appendicitis

Age
Males are more likely to develop appendicitis
Family History
Low fibre diets
Previous abdominal surgery
Gastrointestinal Infections
Smoking
mmunodeficiency

Appendicitis treatment

Appendectomy:

Appendicitis is typically treated surgically by appendectomy. This treatment can be performed laparoscopically or openly, depending on the severity of the problem and the surgeon's preference.

Antibiotics:

In a few cases, antibiotics may be prescribed before surgery to help reduce inflammation and prevent infection. However, antibiotics alone are not considered a definitive treatment for appendicitis and are typically used as an adjunct to surgery.

Pain Management:

Pain relief medications may be administered to alleviate discomfort associated with appendicitis, both before and after surgery. These medications may include over-the-counter pain relievers or stronger prescription medications, depending on the severity of the pain.

Hospitalization:

Patients with appendicitis usually require hospitalization for surgical treatment and postoperative care. The length of hospital stay might vary depending on individual factors, such as the surgical approach used and the patient's recovery progress.

Recovery:

After surgery, patients are typically advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a period to allow the body to heal. Most individuals can restart their normal activities in a few weeks following surgery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix, a tiny pouch situated in the lower right abdomen near the intersection of the small and large intestines.

An obstruction in the appendix's lining frequently results in appendicitis, usually due to stool, foreign bodies, tumours, or infections that lead to bacterial overgrowth and inflammation.

Fever, nausea, and vomiting are common indications and signs, lack of appetite, abrupt pain that travels from the belly button to the lower right abdomen, and tenderness or swelling in the abdomen.

Anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most commonly affects people in midddle of the ages of 10 and 30. Certain factors, such as a family history of appendicitis, a diet low in fibre, and conditions like cystic fibrosis, may increase the risk.

Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination to assess abdominal tenderness and imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan to confirm inflammation of the appendix.

The treatment for appendicitis is an appendectomy, which is a surgical extraction of the appendix. The process frequently occurs either by open surgical procedure or laparoscopic surgery using microscopic incisions.

While appendicitis cannot always be prevented, maintaining a high-fibre diet, staying hydrated, and promptly treating gastrointestinal disease may help lower the risk of expanding appendicitis.

Seek quick medical assistance since these symptoms could indicate appendicitis if you have significant stomach pain that gets worse over time, particularly in the lower right abdomen, and if you also have a fever, nausea, and vomiting.